Richmond dispatch. [volume] (Richmond, Va.) 1884-1903, 1887-04-16
THE OLD SOLDIERS.
Pleasant "reminiscences Of the Re
cent Reunion-A Letter from
General Butler. .


Soon after the veterans adjourned to
the supper-room the reporter saw two
gentlemen near him eye each other fol-
minute and then rise and shake hands
warmly across the table. Inquiry de.
veloped that they were Captain j. s.
Hanahan, of the Washington Light In
fantry, and Captain w. IL. Bartless, Of
the Yeadon Light Infantry. who had
last parted company twenty-five years
ago, when released from the United
States prison at Fort Delaware.
In response to toast to "The Cav.
airy The men who were always fight
ing" the following letter was read from
General NJ. C. Butler:
EDGEFIELD G. H., April 8, 1887.
Colonel Zimmerman Dayis, John H.
| Rinloch, and G. II. Holmes, Jr.,
Committee:
Gentlemen,-I have received your
invitation to represent at the annual re-
union Qf the Charleston Survivors AS
sociation on the evening of the 18th in
slant.
On every account would be much
| gratified to accept, for 1 should hope to
meet many of those who served with
me in the Confederate army, in the
same branch of service, and many who
belonged to different corps Of the same
army, and with them to recount and re-
cell many incidents of interest, but en-
gagements previously made will not
permit.
shall avail myself, however, OF this
opportunity to invite the attention Of
your association to the Confederate
Soldiers Home, near Richmond, Va.
A recent visit to this institution con-
WINGED me that it was worthy of the
most active and earnest consideration
of the survivors of the Confederate
army in every southern State, and en-
titled to the support of the States
themselves in liberal endowments of
money.
was surprised to find eighty-odd
disabled Confederate soldiers, mostly
one-legged and one-armed, well-pro-
vided with quarters and rations and in
a comparative state of comfort.
The Home is under the command of
General Terry, of Virginia, whose bri-
gade will be remembered as one Of the
crack infantry commands of the Army
of Northern Virginia, and he as one Of
the most gallant of that host of splen-
did brigade commanders of that match
less army. He is supported by assist
ants selected from the disabled inmates
in the administration of the Home, and
somewhat of military discipline is kept
up, so much as is found necessary to
properly conduct such an institution.
The buildings consist of one main
building for offices, library, officers
quarters, &C., O good-size mess-hall,
kitchen, &C., half dozen or more of
comfortable cottages, used as quarters
for the men, chapel for divine SER
vice-all located in the suburbs Of Rich
mond, healthy, delightful spot.
The Home also owns thirty-two acres
of land, now very valuable and increas-
ing in value every year, with the ne
cessary out-buildings for a small farm
and garden and dairy. II is controlled
by board of management of ex-Con-
federate officers and soldiers, who take
the deepest. interest in the welfare and
comfort of the old soldiers, for we are
all getting old now, and provide them
with every comfort the present endow-
ment will allow.
The inmates are not confined to Vir-
ginia, but they are admitted from other
GtoAnc o,,1 II f,,,N1 GA,.kl.
Carolina. The State of Virginia APP
propriates annually $4,000 towards
the support of the institution, and
every other southern State ought TO
make an appropriation for the same
purpose, at least to the extent of sup
porting their own men admitted there.
IL the States as such will not do so. the
SURVIVORS associations ought to raise a
fund by subscription or otherwise for
its endowment.
1t was very touching sight to wit
ness, and visit in their comfortable
quarters, these old manned veterans of
many battle, and source of much
qualification to reflect how far removed
they are from want and anxiety for to-
morrow's meal. 1t is not an almshouse,
so they feel none of the humiliation in
cident to such q place. They have as
socistion with their comrades in q cause
they were proud to espouse, and recall
without dishonor or shame, and con-
tribute as best they may, by such |
exertions as they can put forth, for
the support and maintenance of
their Home. Richmond is the pro-
per point for the location of such a |
Home. 1t is healthy, cheerful. and |
accessible from all points by rail. 1t |
would be more economical to build up |
this Home for all the southern States |
than establish them separately, and / |
it was contemplated by its |
founders that this could be done. / |
was informed it costs about S120 per
annum to support each inmate, so that |
each State would not feel the small APP
necessary to maintain its |
own disabled citizens at this Home.
Surely no able-bodied man would be-
grudge his small share OF taxes required |
TO raise this appropriation for his I'M
fortunate but patriotic brother.
have gone somewhat into details in |
regard Ito this Home because / was
deeply impressed with its efficacy for
the relief of our disabled comrades,
now growing old, many Of them poor,
and becoming more helpless as the
years advance. 1t would be a cruel fate
TO send them to an ordinary poorhouse,
proud men, whose eyes have flashed
u the light of SO many battles and
whose hearts have throbbed with patri-
otic pride and singular fidelity to duty
md conviction.
Let those of us who are still able TO
work see to it that no such humiliation
hall ever overtake one Of our worthy
comrades. We should unite in bring
ng the matter to the attention OF our
Legislature, and ask that body 10 fol-
ow the example set by Virginia, and at
east provide for those Of our State who
nay be admitted there. /
NJ. G. BUTLER.
tn fbs EI};for of fIs D;enoyeb.